California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday that his office has opened multiple investigations into price gouging amid the Los Angeles fires, creating a new Disaster Relief Task Force to tackle what he called “unconscionable” exploitation of evacuees.
“Folks across the region are being preyed on by greedy businesses and landlords, scam artists, and predatory buyers looking to make a quick buck off their pain,” Bonta said at a press conference. “They are seeking to re-victimize the victims of the fires, to exploit them in their vulnerable state.”
Bonta’s announcement follows several days of warnings from law enforcement officials including the LA Sheriff and Los Angeles District Attorney that unscrupulous business owners and scammers will be held accountable for targeting fire victims…